Breaking Down UFC 157: Rousey Vs Carmouche (Main Card)

UFC 157: Rousey vs. Carmouche takes place tonight, and you can get the main card breakdown right here. Yesterday I covered the prelims, and now it’s time to dissect the rest of the rumbles.

Also, makes sure to drop some of your own picks in the comments section and it keep it locked to Fighters.com for complete coverage of the event starting tonight at 6:30 PM EST.

Josh Koscheck vs. Robbie Lawler

Lawler only seems to want to fight at welterweight when its in the UFC, and I find that telling. We have two guys who are middle of the road fighters, and there really is only one thing you do with these guys. Make them fight each other. Lawler is going to try and knock out Koscheck, and Koscheck will be looking to make Lawler fight off his back. Lawler is going to have to get lucy in order to land the kill shot on Koscheck and thats why I think Lawler will spend most of the fight trying to get up off his back.

Koscheck via decision.

Court McGee vs. Josh Neer

When Josh Neer is firing on all cylinders, he is capable of being a buzz saw, but its when he is on defense and has to defend himself is when he has issues. McGee is the type of fighter who will stick to overcrowding Neer where the ever fight goes, and will not give him much space. McGee is riding a two fight losing streak, and you have to assume he is fighting for his job. If McGee can’t do it against Neer then he likely doesn’t qualify to be in the UFC anyway.

McGee via decision.

Urijah Faber vs. Ivan Menjivar

Menjivar has this thing where he Â just takes what his opponents give him, and either figures out a way to win or loses. Rarely is it him just pushing the envelope and just dominating another fighter. That will be a tough thing to do against Faber in the fight, and while I expect Menjivar to make a fun fight out of it, I am skeptical to the idea that he will be able to pull it off. Faber seems Â to have the deck stacked in his favor on this one, and I expect him to pull off a decision win over Menjivar.

Faber via decision.

Lyoto Machida vs. Dan Henderson

Machida uses distance and footwork like no other in the UFC today. Machida has shown off the ability to expose wrestlers who don’t know how to set up a proper double leg takedown. Â As the attempts get more and more desperate, Machida eventually lines up a shot that disposes of his opponent. If he doesn’t land that shot, the end result is a decision that has the fans screaming that the other guy won. We shouldn’t have that problem with Henderson as he has no problem giving a punch to take a punch, and will definitely come forward on Machida. That will likely be his undoing in this fight. I see Machida landing something significant early in the third round, and scrambling to get a submission on Henderson.

Machida via submission round 3.

Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche

While I think Carmouche is the most formidable opponent Rousey has fought, I have a hard time picking against the champion. There is a saying that for every way you can think of to break into your house, a thief can think of five more. Rousey is the same way, but with armbars. I do not think her career yet warrants odds as high as -1200, that’s just silly, but this should be her fight to lose. Carmouche should be able to test her some, perhaps even survive a round or two, but I think eventually Rousey snatches a limb and gets the tap.